hutchy
06-06-05, 01:24 PM
After reading through the thread Suzuki dealer has wrecked my bike in SV talk, tweaking and tuning, I felt this might be a good idea as a post:
the worst has happened and you've gone back to the shop/dealer/person and it doesn't look good (you didn't loose your temper, shout or anything did you? good)
Go home and think through - 1, what your actual complaint is. 2, what you would like done. (try to look at both sides, ask friends what they think, especially the obnoxious one who always takes the other side)
Then make a phone call, just one, anything said on the phone will count for nothing at a later stage (unless it's recorded) - so expect to get nowhere and try to be calm and polite (you never know polite may work and a compromise could be found, saving time, stress and further costs) - write down the date and time of the call as evidence that you tried all reasonable avenues.
Now whilst it's still fresh write your complaint in a formal letter:
para 1, What your complaint is - just the complaint, don't fog the issue with side problems.
para 2, what you want done - repair, refund ect,
para 3, threaten legal action and set a reasonable timescale for a written reply to your complaint (at least 7 working days)
keep a copy and send the signed original by recorded post.
Their written reply to your letter will probably show where the misunderstanding lies, if it's down to you do the decent thing (ie pretend it never happened)
Whether you do or don't get a reply after your timescale has elapsed, if your still unhappy take all the documents, receipts etc. to the Citizens Advice Bureau - by this stage with the info you've gathered they will stand a far better chance of being able to advise you of any effective action you can take (or if you should drop it)
the worst has happened and you've gone back to the shop/dealer/person and it doesn't look good (you didn't loose your temper, shout or anything did you? good)
Go home and think through - 1, what your actual complaint is. 2, what you would like done. (try to look at both sides, ask friends what they think, especially the obnoxious one who always takes the other side)
Then make a phone call, just one, anything said on the phone will count for nothing at a later stage (unless it's recorded) - so expect to get nowhere and try to be calm and polite (you never know polite may work and a compromise could be found, saving time, stress and further costs) - write down the date and time of the call as evidence that you tried all reasonable avenues.
Now whilst it's still fresh write your complaint in a formal letter:
para 1, What your complaint is - just the complaint, don't fog the issue with side problems.
para 2, what you want done - repair, refund ect,
para 3, threaten legal action and set a reasonable timescale for a written reply to your complaint (at least 7 working days)
keep a copy and send the signed original by recorded post.
Their written reply to your letter will probably show where the misunderstanding lies, if it's down to you do the decent thing (ie pretend it never happened)
Whether you do or don't get a reply after your timescale has elapsed, if your still unhappy take all the documents, receipts etc. to the Citizens Advice Bureau - by this stage with the info you've gathered they will stand a far better chance of being able to advise you of any effective action you can take (or if you should drop it)